Defining Hate Crime

October 24, 1998

Christian activists argue against hate-crime laws. Andrea Sheldon, who heads the Traditional Values Coalition, stated: ``All crime is hate crime. Is that poor [Matthew Sheppard) any more dead because he was homosexual?'' The question should be: ``Would that poor boy be dead if he wasn't homosexual?''

These people are living in a dream world if they believe minority groups do not need protection against hate crimes.